Artistic Reputations

I'm lost where you're going with this, first impressions when going into the fashion industry or in general? Sure clothes matter but most "fashionable" things I'm referring to aren't related to business apparell, although I do digress it does exist. And when you speak of fashion how broad are we going? That could go as far as haircuts, or how you shave. It's rather broad so I just focus on the whole stereotypical runway. I'm ignorant when it comes to fashion, extremely, so I'm the best example of stereotyping, first impression ironically.

I'm talking about first impressions in general, and yes, when I speak of fashion (at least in the context of this thread), I'm speaking of the art of appearances, and therefore yes, fashion, beauty, hygiene, body stylings, etc.

Who says such things need to be stated in a negative context? As a human you have to be shallow in order to be safe, that goes as far as stereotyping people based on race. The only difference in that example is that you can purchase and change your appearance, while you can't really change your skin color, well in a rational way. The entire corporation is shallow and fickle, but to be good at what they do they need to be. I find it slightly refreshing that you aren't denying it but justifying why they have to, which is completely accurate.

I'm confused what you mean by me "justifying why they have to be shallow and fickle." The content of the art is shallow or fickle, but I can understand why some may view its usage as being shallow or fickle given its ultimate purpose in appearances, which many people don't view with as much importance as, say, the ability to cure cancer. I'm also not saying that designing a beautiful dress is in no way close to the importance of curing cancer, but that within the realm of the art world it's a highly impressive skill worth respect.

Finally, I'm also not saying that I agree with the many people who find fashion's usage to be "shallow or fickle," as it's not; again, the boiled down point I'm trying to make is that appearances matter much more than people give them credit, as it's through first impressions based on appearances that people can assert a sort-of power. My mentor at InStyle once told me he views fashion as a form of persuasion, not just in the intimate, sexy "get-into-bed" sense but, again, in the ability to sway one's opinion of you towards a higher esteem by simply looking put-together.

The thing is you're trying to justify fashion yet argue the stereotype that comes generally with it. When someone like me, who know's little about the industry, hears fashion, the first thing that comes to mind is "LATEST MUST HAVE", circumstances. It's a cult to be honest, and it's no surprise how it's quickly regenerated in cheaper materials yet still retain the same like for the 10th of the price. That's why I consider the industry a frivolous endeavor and retains an image most women can't live up too. Specifically american women.

Ready for the biggest secret in fashion (that's also not really a secret): the "LATEST MUST HAVE" the "SEASONS TOP TRENDS" - they're all just inspirations for how people want to dress in accordance to their personal style. I'll post more about this in response to Sapta below.

Some disorganized comments on the fashion industry (might edit later if I have time).

It's nice to have variety, but I don't want anybody dictating that if I don't wear a neon-colored semi-transparent shell top that falls off one shoulder this summer, I am a criminal. (Or that if I keep on wearing it next year I deserve all the scorn I get). I don't want to be unable to find pants with the waistline at the, you know, waist, just because somebody decided that this year we must all show off our pelvic bones and/or the spare tires padding them. I don't want to be pre-judged at a job interview just because my glasses with the big lenses still work fine and I haven't felt the need to spend $500 to replace them with narrow rectangles.

When I buy a painting or a statue to decorate my home, they are good for years. Fashions may change but they change slowly and gradually, and generally a good work of art is appreciated even after it's not "the latest fashion". With clothes, a perfectly useful item that was considered fabulous last year is intolerable this year for arbitrary reasons that are no more than decrees by the "industry". Why was neon green ridiculous last year, but mandatory this year, and probably ridiculous again next year?

Music has trends too, but even if [style_name] is "in" this year and all you'll hear on a top-40 channel, there are still plenty of channels playing other styles, and the CDs or downloads are available almost as easily if you happen to like Rock, Metal, 50's pop, or even Opera.
Clothing fashions, however, change every season, and other types of clothes will completely disappear from shops. You like your jacket lapels the way they were last winter? Tough. Wait a decade or two, maybe they'll return. For now, get with the times.

Other complaint is that fashions are made for models. They are then sort-of scaled for people who might be a little shorter or fuller, but not really. And then you see people walking around looking horrible because they're wearing things that really don't compliment their build - but as I mentioned before, you just can't find other cuts in normal stores. Not all of us can afford to have our clothes tailor-made.

In continuing with my comment to Khaini above, all of what is seen as the "cult" of the industry, the "latest must haves," the "biggest trends" - they're all just inspirations for your personal style. At the end of the day style is an individual manifestation of your personal identity, an avenue of expression all your own that shouldn't be some thoughtless conglomeration of every current trend of the season. If it is, people would probably scorn you for trying to hard.

My point is this: say there are 8-10 major trends every season. You in no ways need to wear EVERY SINGLE ONE throughout that season. A great example would be Camo, which is a huge trend in both womens and menswear this Fall. I HATE Camo, and would never wear the style unless some unique example presented itself that was totally separate of what I see day in and day out in Wisconsin - which, of course, I have yet to see.

That's the same with, say, neon as a trend this summer, as you exampled. I love neon but not being awash in it. A great way to wear the trend, as most good magazines highlighted this season, was also to not douse yourself in it but add little pops: a neon bag, a neon skirt, neon socks.

Long story short, trends are merely patterns in the fashion of the season, not dictations of how individual styles should change. As Coco Chanel once said, "Fashion fades, only style remains." Style is what appearances are made of and what is ultimately scorned or praised, and style boils down to your knowledge of your body type and ability to compliment it with appropriate clothing, while infusing elements of trends each season that YOU like.

I will say, too, that there are probably 100x more fashion brands out there than most people know. I myself thought I knew most brands before working at InStyle this summer, and found I knew maybe 30% of them. In other words, just because you can't find something in a fit or cut you like at one store doesn't mean 50 others don't actually make it. And wonderfully, with the advent of the internet and sites like eBay, people can now find those pieces from bygone years and seasons for reasonable prices by connecting with sellers online.

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The bottom line is that fashion is WORK. If you want to look good, you need to put the time into researching and experimenting with what looks good on YOU and YOUR body type. Note that I did not say money, because with the advent of fast fashion and the internet, looking put-together - not necessarily the most runway-trendy person, but put-together - isn't unreasonable for most people. And because there's an abundance of information on how-to for your individual self, to choose not to put in the effort is a statement of laziness, nothing more.